Butternut Squash Black Bean Quinoa
on Jan 24, 2022, Updated Sep 27, 2025
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For this roasted butternut squash black bean quinoa, I go big on cumin, chili powder and other pantry spices along with fresh lime juice, scallions and cilantro. The result is an easy quinoa side dish that you can also serve as a vegan main. It’s that kind of flexibility that has me cooking this recipe and making it work in multiple meals from fall to winter.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Make the most of everything in your spice drawer. Olive oil, salt and pepper are essential for good roasted vegetables, but they are just a starting point. Boosting the seasonings with a creative mix can transform a dish and transport you to another cuisine or another part of the world. Lately, that has been my version of travel.
Roasting fall veggies like winter squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkin takes a different direction when the excitement of autumn and Thanksgiving is long gone. I feel more free to kick up the heat and flavor and move away from something more traditional. Then when I take that first bite, I always wonder why I don’t make this my default strategy for roasted vegetables no matter the season.
This quinoa recipe is great for meal prep. Once you have the quinoa simmered, the vegetables roasted and everything stirred together, you can eat it warm, at room temperature or cold. It reheats well in the microwave. Enjoy it as a grain bowl or a salad for lunch or dinner.
Tips For Roasting Butternut Squash
Once you get past peeling, it’s pretty easy to roast this type of squash. I do have a few simple tips:
Use a Y-Peeler. Yes, it can be a total pain to peel squash. A good Y-peeler is a must. You will be amazed how easily this low-cost gadget strips the skin right off. When I stopped using my straight vegetable peeler and switched to the Y version, it was life changing. That’s not an exaggeration.
Try to cut the squash the same size. Do your best. I know this can be tricky, especially when you get to the curved bell part of the vegetable, but this is the key to getting everything on the sheet pan to roast evenly. Keep practicing. Every time you prep, you will get better and more efficient.
Spread out the squash across the entire pan. Take advantage of all the space you have on your baking sheet. Each piece of squash should make direct contact with the hot metal of the pan to maximize browning potential. This is true with roasting any vegetable, and if you keep them touching, even better. When they are too close together, they will steam instead of roast.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This is what you need:
- Butternut squash should feel heavy for its size in your hand and have smooth skin. One of the things I love about winter squash is that it can sit on your counter for a week or so before you use it, and it will still be fresh. That’s the beauty of these so-called storage vegetables. They have a longer shelf life than more delicate veggies. You can use sweet potatoes as a substitute.
- Black beans are one of my pantry staples. I always have at least one can stashed away. The spices in this recipe take inspiration from Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors, so black beans are the right match for this dish.
- Quinoa: You can use white, red or tri-colored quinoa. If you don’t have quinoa in your kitchen, you can use brown rice, barley, farro or another grain instead.
- Spices: I season the squash in a blend of cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper.
- Olive oil: The best way to evenly distribute the spices is to stir them into olive oil, and then toss the squash in that mixture.
- Lime juice: Once the butternut squash and black beans are combined, I squeeze in fresh lime juice. Always use an actual lime and not bottled citrus juice.
- Cilantro: I love including dried spices and fresh herbs in all my cooking. For this recipe, I add lots of chopped cilantro, which is always a great choice with lime.
- Scallions: In addition to cilantro, I add two thinly sliced scallions for something crisp and oniony.
How To Make This Roasted Butternut Squash Black Bean Quinoa
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
1. Make the spiced olive oil. It’s best to combine the cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder with the oil in a bowl that’s big enough to hold the squash too.
2. Stir the butternut squash into the spices and oil. Toss it around so every piece is dressed in the mixture.
3. Spread the butternut squash across a sheet pan. It should be in a single layer, so the squash cubes are not overlapping.
4. Roast the squash. Give it 25-30 minutes until the squash is tender in the center and browned at the edges.
5. Make the quinoa. You can do this while you’re roasting. Simmer the grains on the stove. Once the water is absorbed, wait 5 minutes. Then fluff it with a fork.
6. Combine the roasted squash and black beans in a bowl. Stir in the lime juice. After that, fold in the quinoa, scallions and cilantro.
Serving The Quinoa
As mentioned, you can serve the quinoa as a side dish or a main. Pair it with chipotle roasted cauliflower tacos, veggie fajita bowls or sheet pan pepper & mushroom fajitas.
With the beans, you can also think of it like a grain bowl. If you want, you can add shredded rotisserie chicken, roasted salmon or tofu.
Leftovers & Storage
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 4 days. You can eat them cold straight from the fridge and even add greens and a splash of salsa to make a salad. If you prefer the dish warm, heat it quickly in the microwave.
More Butternut Squash Recipes
Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Pasta
Spicy Chipotle Squash Soup
Turmeric Butternut Squash Apple Soup
Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Orzo
Sautéed Butternut Squash and Kale
Check out my collection of easy roasted vegetable recipes organized by season with tips, go-to ingredients, and sheet pan favorites.
Butternut Squash Black Bean Quinoa
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 butternut squash, about 2-1/2 pounds, peeled and diced
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in the butternut squash, coating in the oil and spices.
- Spread the squash across a sheet pan. Roast for 25-30 minutes until it is tender and starting to brown at the edges.
- While the squash is roasting, make the quinoa. Bring the water and quinoa to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the quinoa is cooked and the water has been absorbed. Let the quinoa sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
- Combine the roasted squash and black beans in a large bowl. Stir in the lime juice. Then fold in the quinoa, scallions and cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Soooo good. Truly a healthy side/meal that is also delicious. That blend of spices in the butternut squash…so good. Thank you for this one. I’ll definitely be making it again.
Hello!
How big do you cube the butternut squash?
Thank you!
I cut them into cubes that are about a 1/2-inch.
Do you think cubed sweet potato would work well in place of the squash? That is all I have on hand…
Yes. Cubed sweet potatoes would be a good substitute.
Paige, my quinoa prep directions say 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups of water. Your recipe calls for 1 cup of water. Is this an error? I make your recipes quite a bit & enjoy them. I want to make this for tonight’s dinner.
Hi Sharon. It should be 2 cups of water. The recipe is updated. Thanks!
Easy to make and so flavorful. Will be making again!
I made the Farro variation. (Farro in place of the quinoa) My husband & I really liked it. I will definitely make it again! I chose the farro variation, as my husband was concerned about the carbs ( less carbs with the farro).